Phoenix, AZ (Tuesday, April 22, 2014) – Attorney General Tom Horne authored the principal Friend of Court Brief, joined by other states, in today's victory by Michigan upholding state bans on racial preferences in college admissions, state contracts, and state employment.

Horne stated: "Arizona, like Michigan and other states, has a voter approved ban on racial preferences in college admissions, state contracts, and state employment. The sixth circuit declared that ban unconstitutional, which is ironic, because the constitution guarantees that all individuals are entitled to equal protection of the law. Our office prepared the principal friend of court brief, joined in by other states, in the appeal to the US Supreme Court.”

He continued, “Today, the Supreme Court ruled 6-2 in our favor. This upholds the fundamental American principle, that we are all individuals, and that what counts is our knowledge and character, and not what race we happened to be born into. It is gratifying that the Arizona Attorney General's office played a major role in this victory."